Houston's second-half comeback took an abrupt turn when the winless Orlando Pride scored a 71st-minute goal to even the score and draw 2-2 with the Dash at the newly renamed BBVA Stadium on Saturday.
Houston fell behind early when rookie defender Ally Prisock was called for a handball as she tried to use her chest to gain control of a loose ball in the 12th minute.
From the edge of the area, midfielder Joanna Boyles stepped up to take the free kick and coolly slotted it before running across the field to hug her teammates on the bench.